Philosophy of Science (PHI2130.01)

Kimberly Van Orman

Science provides a particular way of knowing about our world. In this course we will examine the benefits, pitfalls and limits of this knowledge. Topics will include the nature of scientific explanation, causation, and how those ideas can help us distinguish science from pseudoscience. We will discuss questions such as whether science is objective and whether it’s actually telling us about the world, or is it “just theory?” We will also look at some particular controversies such as evolution vs creation or medicine vs alternative therapies.